"Why are you out already? Spend more time chatting with Wanwan, I can fetch the dishes," Luo Yufang chided upon seeing him emerge.
"Not that, Wanwan has fallen asleep," Lin Xiaoguai said as she approached the sink to start washing dishes.
"Asleep? Did she eat something then?"
"When I ate, I fed her a bit, and later she also had half an orange and half a cup of honey water," Shen Chi replied.
Hearing this, Luo Yufang put her hands together and prayed, "May our ancestors bless us, please ensure Wanwan stays safe and healthy."
Once she finished her prayer, and Shen Chi, who had already washed the dishes, said, "Grandma, I’m stepping out for a bit. Do you need anything bought?"
"Wait, I’ll go with you. You’ll have to show me around the nearby area for future grocery runs," Luo Yufang hurriedly untied her apron.
Shen Chi thought it over and nodded in agreement.
However, when they were leaving, not only did Luo Yufang come, but Shen Zhangming and Shen Mincheng joined as well, for similar reasons. Shen Yinian, who originally planned to accompany them, chose to stay behind with Lin Xiaoguai instead.
"Grandma, there’s also a market within the compound, about one kilometer in that direction, but we’re heading to the outside market today. If you don’t feel like going far next time, you could just shop at this one," Shen Chi explained while driving to Luo Yufang.
"Is the market inside the compound not fresh, or is the produce treated with pesticides and not clean?" Luo Yufang asked anxiously.
Their granddaughter-in-law was pregnant, and these matters required extra attention.
"No, not at all. The produce there is brought in by villagers from the outskirts of Beijing—it’s indeed fresh, though the variety is limited. Fish and shrimp are alive and fresh; the meat there might not be the freshest, though. We have a lot of vegetables growing at home, so we rarely need to buy from outside. Usually, for groceries, Wanwan and I go to the outside market," Shen Chi detailed.
"Then let’s still go to the outside market. I don’t have anything else to do, and walking a bit more could be good exercise for me," Luo Yufang decided on the spot.
"Right, Mom and I can go too if you’re busy," Shen Mincheng eagerly offered from the back seat.
Shen Zhangming nodded in agreement.
Shen Chi took everyone on a tour of all the places they might need to visit in the future. By the time they returned, it was already past three in the afternoon.
"Shoulu, where have you been? How come you’re only back now?" As soon as they got out of the car, Han Shouzhen’s voice greeted them as she walked out.
"Big sister?" Shen Chi turned towards the slightly reserved elders and introduced, "This is my big sister, Han Shouzhen."
Then he said to Han Shouzhen, "These are my grandpa, grandma, and dad."
Han Shouzhen was momentarily taken aback before realizing who these three elders were. She approached them with an enthusiastic face, "Grandpa Shen, Grandma Luo, Uncle Shen, thank you so much for taking care of Shoulu throughout these years. I’m here to express my gratitude." She had done her research on the Shen family, which made addressing them come naturally.
"There’s no need, no need. I’m just a country woman; how could I possibly deserve thanks from Miss Han?" Luo Yufang said, feeling rather uncomfortable, given she was facing the daughter of General Han Kuang.
Shen Zhangming and Shen Mincheng were not much better off, unsure of what to do with their hands and feet.
"There’s no one more deserving than you. Grandma Luo, please don’t be so formal with me. Just call me Shouzhen," Han Shouzhen sincerely urged.
Seeing her earnest expression and realizing her words were genuine, Luo Yufang breathed a sigh of relief.
She was worried about being looked down upon—a few cold stares directed at her were bearable, but it would be a disaster if it affected her grandson’s dignity.
In reality, she was worrying needlessly. Forget that they had been living in the city for many years, with manners hardly resembling those of villagers; even if they were utterly uncouth and spoke in a rural dialect, Han Shouzhen wouldn’t mind on account of them having raised Shen Chi.
If she held any discontent, it would most likely be towards Shen Mincheng, who had once neglected Shen Chi. But since her brother had accepted him as a foster father, she couldn’t go against his wishes. Considering Shen Mincheng had also wholeheartedly looked after her brother for over a decade and had now "seen the error of his ways," she was quite willing to address him as uncle.
"Shoulu, it’s a big deal for Grandpa Shen and the others to come over. Why don’t we arrange a small welcoming dinner for the elders tonight?" Han Shouzhen suggested to Shen Chi.
Sensing the elders had been a bit constrained earlier, Shen Chi didn’t hesitate to nod his agreement, "Okay, we bought plenty of groceries today anyway."
"I’ll go make a call," Han Shouzhen said and, not forgetting to smile at Shen Zhangming and the others, added, "I won’t keep you further, since we’re all family anyway."
With that, she excitedly went inside to make the phone call.
The elders all exhaled a sigh of relief, and Luo Yufang couldn’t help but acclaim, "Chi’s big sister is really remarkable."
"Grandma, you’re overthinking things. With me around, who would dare disrespect you?" By this point, if Shen Chi wasn’t clear about the elders’ concerns, his brain would merely be for show.
"You just don’t know how to be embarrassed," Luo Yufang chided with a smile, evidently pleased by Shen Chi’s words.
Once they moved their purchases into the house, Han Shouzhen had finished making her calls. Spotting them come in, she called out to the two children watching TV, "Ping’an, Nannan, come and greet our guests!"
"Great-grandpa, great-grandma, Grandpa Shen," the two children, having been briefed by Han Shouzhen beforehand, called out smoothly.
Seeing them greet everyone, Han Shouzhen contentedly said to the three elders, "This is my son and daughter. If you need anything, just ask them."
"All such well-behaved children; you truly are blessed—one son and one daughter make the perfect pair," Luo Yufang complimented gracefully, and her words indeed came from the heart, not as mere flattery.
(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to cast your recommendation votes or monthly votes at Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)